AMHERST - One of the Amherst Ramblers' top talents will be returning for another Maritime Junior A Hockey League season.
Kody Orr, a 16-year-old Lower Sackville resident, left the training camp of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Halifax Mooseheads on Monday and is expected to report to the Ramblers' camp later this week. Orr, a 12th-round pick of the Mooseheads in June, had been in the running for a spot as the team's 13th forward. He had suited up for practices but had not appeared in any preseason games.
"It was a mutual decision," Orr said. "I didn't want to ruin my NCAA eligibility, and they didn't want to make any promises until they had the chance to fully evaluate me by seeing me in an exhibition game. They agreed that playing another year of junior A would be the best thing for my development."
Orr, who turns 17 next month, was Amherst's second-round pick in 2008, and totalled 19 points in 49 regular-season games in his rookie campaign, plus one assist in seven playoff games before a collarbone injury ended his season.
His leadership ability will be welcome on a team that has a lost a wealth of veteran talent.
"I don't see it as a rebuilding year," Orr said. "It's more of a transition because we did have a lot of older players last year, but we have some really good 17- and 18-year-olds on our roster, and I think we'll be able to step up and compete with the best."

Tonight's preseason opener is, in essence, a rookie game.
Head coach and general manager Corey Crocker is using the 7:30 p.m., tilt against the Dieppe Commandos as the first opportunity to evaluate newcomers in game situations.
Devon Cudmore will get the start in goal and is expected to play the first period, with Julien Daigle going in the second period and Spencer Scott in the third.
The Ramblers will dress 13 forwards - Jordie Shaw, Kodi Estey, Corbyn Gallagher, Scott Lowe, Anthony Cummiskey, Mitchell O'Neill, Jesse Colborne, Matthew Canning, Marcus Manson, Michael Clarke, Alex Berry, Luke Warner and Garrett Bell - and defencemen Justin Landry, Wes Herrett, Greg Taylor, Paden Lennie and Brandon Mercer.

Two of the Ramblers' Bent Division rivals made trades with the Campbellton Tigers on the weekend. The Truro Bearcats picked up defencemen Donnie Churchill for the rights to Mike Richards and future considerations. The Pictou County Weeks Crushers added forward Danny Robichaud for two draft picks and future considerations.